At what gestational age can a baby succesfully breastfeed?

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By niece was born at 30 weeks and the Mom pumped milk for her and started breastfeeding her after awhile....Show more

It depends on a variety of factors.
If they are only on supplemental oxygen, they might let you try to feed them directly.
If they come immediately, I would think they'd be on full blown oxygen, although each baby is different.
If you can't breastfeed them immediately because they are taken to the NICU, you can start pumping immediately.
If the babies can't come to you, you start pumping within 30 minutes of the delivery if you can.
Start pumping 12 times a day until they will let you feed directly.
Olive oil or vitamin e oil will be your friend if you have to pump at first.
Don't get frustrated if you don't get much out at first. Colostrum is hard to pump, so don't feel bad.
Your milk will come in eventually.
If you are able to feed directly, the nurses and doctors will follow your babies intake more closely than most other infants. They will need to make sure they are getting enough.
Even in the event that they can breastfeed right away, I'd probably pump a few times a day just to help my milk come in sooner.
Remember, you can do this.
It is hard to nurse twins, but many women have successfully breastfed twins and never had to supplement with formula at all. Or with very little supplementation.
Good luck...Show more

Babies born before 38 weeks are likely to have trouble breastfeeding in the beginning. Not all do, but it's very likely and twins are extra work to begin with. I had my daughter early but still term at exactly 37 weeks. She had a horrible time nursing but I was determined. The pumping every two hours was SO HARD. Finally a nurse told me, this will probably be the hardest thing you ever do, and whether it really was or not it helped a lot to look at it like that for me. I just told myself, it will be hard- and it was. But today she is 7 months old and still nursing (like a pro I might add.) The Supplemental nursing system and nipple shields really helped me in the early weeks, good luck!!!! Take advantage if your hospital offers a lactation consultant and make an appointment to have one come to your home after you leave the hospital or at least one you can call with questions- WIC can refer you to a good one that you can afford....Show more

I think it entirely depends on the baby. A lot of babies who are born at 37 weeks or under can have trouble latching on to start with (My 37 week gestation baby did and at the hospital they said it was normal for 37 week gestation babies to have trouble like that).

In the end between trying to get her to breast feed and pumping constantly I gave up because I was getting too frustrated with it and she was hungry a lot. I regret it now cause i know she could easily breastfeed now but at the time I know it was the right choice to make for us both.

The hospitals are all for breastfeeding so they will do -everything- they possibly can to help you breastfeed your babies. The rest is just up to you and what you feel you can handle....Show more

I've read books, pamphlets and online sources that have varying opinions on when the rooting and sucking reflex reaches maturity in utero. It ranges from roughly 36 - 40 weeks but I've seen babies with the reflex at as young as 34 weeks.
If your babies don't have the reflex established when first born, don't worry. They will eventually develop it. A lack of these reflexes doesn't make it impossible to nurse a baby just more difficult. You always have the option to pump to keep your milk production up until your babies reflexes are established.
The hospitals I have visited will allow the mother to pump her milk and use it for the babies in incubators/respirators.
Visit the link below for some things you can do with your preterm babies.
Hope this helps. Good luck and congrats! :)...Show more